Discover how you can increase the sustainability of your company through fleet electrification. Find out more about legal requirements, measures and funding opportunities.
Imagine if your company could drastically improve its environmental footprint and reduce costs with a single decision. Sounds too good to be true? Not if you turn your attention to the company parking lot. The often overlooked vehicle fleet holds enormous potential for greater sustainability and competitiveness. At a time when green business is not just a trend, but a necessity, you can use fleet electrification as a major lever for sustainable business management.
In this article, we summarize why sustainability in business is important, how you can protect theenvironment and put your business in the fast lane by switching to electric mobility in Germany. We also take a look at which subsidies are available for electric mobility and what specific measures you should take to get your e-fleet up and running.
Why is sustainability important in a business context?
CSRD and the reporting obligation: sustainability in companies by law
Suppose your company suddenly finds itself in the spotlight - not because of its products or services, but because of its environmental impact. This scenario is causing increasing nervousness at management level in many companies. Because in 2024, the EUushered in a new era of transparencywith the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) . This directive is not just bureaucratic lip service, but a game changer that is revolutionizing sustainability reporting.
Whether you are a large corporation or an up-and-coming medium-sized company - the gradual introduction of the CSRD will put your business practices under the microscope in future. This is about far more than just figures and statistics. With the CSR reporting obligation, the EU is demanding anin-depth insight into your corporate DNA, from your efforts for sustainable corporate governance to the CO2 emissions of your vehicle fleet. In short: in future, companies will have to provide a detailed account of their environmental impact.
But this new requirement does not have to be a stumbling block. On the contrary: it offers the opportunity to position yourself as a pioneer in terms of sustainability. Electrification of the vehicle fleet can make a significant contribution to improving the sustainability balance sheet and meeting the reporting obligation.
Economic benefits through sustainable corporate management
Practicing sustainability in companies is not only an ethical obligation, but also offers tangible economic and tax benefits. Effective examples of such sustainable decisions in companies include
- Energy efficiency measures:
By using energy-efficient technologies and optimizing production processes, companies can reduce their energy consumption and thus operate more sustainably. - Promotion of home office and flexible working models:
These measures can reduce commuting and thus minimize CO2 emissions. At the same time, considerable savings can be made by reducing office space and the associated operating costs. - Fleet electrification:
Switching to electric vehicles can significantly reduceCO2 emissions and improve a company's environmental footprint. As electric cars generally have lower running costs and require less maintenance than conventional vehicles, there are lower costs in the long term.
Companies that initially want to focus on electric mobility in light of these various ideas for sustainability can benefit from tax advantages when purchasing electric cars. Among the most attractive incentives are the special depreciation allowance for newly registered fully electric vehicles and the increase in the gross list price from 70,000 euros to 95,000 euros for company car taxation for e-vehicles.
These tax incentives are intended to motivate companies to focus more on electromobility and help to reduce operating costs in the long term and improve the environmental footprint. In contrast to complex changes to production machinery, fleet electrification is also relatively uncomplicated and subject to hardly any restrictions. It is therefore a worthwhile measure for companies that want to improve their environmental footprint quickly.
Image enhancement and employee attractiveness
Inspiring customers and attracting the best talent at the same time? While ecological awareness is playing an increasingly important role in society, a green corporate image can open doors to new business opportunities and strengthen the loyalty of your customers. But that's not all: when you electrify your fleet, you create more than just a symbol of your commitment. Fleet electrification is a powerful signal to customers, partners and the public that your company is actively taking responsibility.
Electric cars and charging stations on your company premises are visible proof of your innovative strength and future orientation. They attract environmentally conscious customers and make your company an attractive employer for skilled workers who value sustainability. Take the opportunity to present yourself as a modern and progressive employer and strengthen your reputation in the region by providing publicly accessible charging stations.
The switch to electromobility not only offers opportunities for positive media coverage, but can also lead to a long-term competitive advantage. In a market environment that is increasingly focusing on sustainability, this will ensure the future viability of your company.
How you can improve your environmental footprint with electromobility
CO2 emissions in company transport
The transport sector is a major driver of CO2 emissions , and company vehicles contribute significantly to this. The good news is: you can change that! As a fleet manager, sustainability officer, HR manager or facility manager, it is up to you to initiate positive change and help your company become more sustainable.
Converting your fleet to electric vehicles can radically reduceCO2 emissions in your professional environment and thus significantly improve your environmental footprint.
Concrete advantages of fleet electrification
A number of arguments in favor of fleet electrification as an effective example of sustainable corporate management have already been discussed. In the following, we provide an overview of the many advantages:
- Lower operating costs: electric vehicles have significantly lower energy costs per kilometer compared to combustion engines. According to studies, electricity costs can be up to 70 % lower than the fuel costs of conventional vehicles.
- Reduced maintenance costs: Electric cars have fewer moving parts and therefore require less maintenance. This can reduce maintenance costs by up to 35%.
- Risk minimization : In view of future regulations and possible entry restrictions for combustion engines in inner cities, companies with e-fleets reduce long-term business risks.
- Competitive advantages: A sustainable fleet can become a unique selling point and increase the company's attractiveness for environmentally conscious customers and partners.
- Tax advantages: Electric vehicles are exempt from vehicle tax in Germany until 2030. There are also tax concessions on company cars for electric and hybrid vehicles.
- Subsidies and grants: Although the environmental bonus has expired, there are still various regional and industry-specific funding programs for the purchase of e-vehicles and the development of charging infrastructure.
- Improved financing conditions: Many banks and financial institutions offer more favorable conditions for sustainable investments, which can facilitate the financing of e-fleets.
- Increased efficiency: The implementation of e-mobility often goes hand in hand with the digitalization of fleet processes, which leads to improved efficiency in fleet management.
By making strategic use of these benefits, companies can not only improve their environmental footprint, but also strengthen their competitiveness and prepare themselves for future challenges in the mobility sector. Switching to electromobility is therefore an investment in the future viability of the company.
Challenges and solutions
The electrification of the vehicle fleet also brings challenges, such as range planning and the development of a charging infrastructure. However, these hurdles can be turned into solutions through careful planning and the use of specialized services.
Fleet electrification as a measure for more sustainability in the company
Carrying out a fleet analysis
Before youcreate factswith yourfleet electrification , you should take a close look at your existing fleet as a first step. A thorough analysis will ensure that you exploit the full potential of electrification. This involves gaining a precise understanding of your vehicles' usage patterns, typical driving profiles and energy requirements. Only then can you make informed decisions and ensure that the switch to electric vehicles is not only environmentally friendly, but also economically viable.
Development of a sustainability concept for the vehicle fleet
Implementation of charging solutions in companies
The integration of charging solutions understandably plays a central role in the success of this sustainability project. Importantly, the charging infrastructure should provide charging options at the company site, options for charging on the move and options for charging at your employees' homes so that your fleet is always ready for use.
Your employees will now become an active part of this transformation. With targeted training, you can also ensure that everyone involved understands the advantages and special features of electromobility and can make optimum use of them.
Support program for electric mobility in companies
From 2035, the EU Environment Council plansto no longer allow new combustion engines on the roads or only new cars with combustion engines that areCO2 emission-free in operation. To promote the transition to electromobility, the environmental bonus was initially available as a state subsidy. Although this subsidy was discontinued at the end of 2023, there are still other financial bridges topave the way for a successful e-fleet, such as the KfW funding programs for electromobility .
Electromobility in Germany ison the verge of a significant upswing, driven by groundbreaking advances in battery technology, a rapid expansion of the charging infrastructure and the introduction of innovative e-vehicle models. These developments are making fleet electrification more attractive than ever for companies.
Digitalization and electromobility as drivers for sustainable corporate management
The fusion of digitalization and electromobility is revolutionizing fleet management and opening up unimagined opportunities for companies. Intelligent charging control, advanced fleet management software andconnected vehicles are increasing efficiency and significantly reducing the ecological footprint.
These technological innovations offer companies the opportunity to achieve their sustainability goals and strengthen their competitiveness at the same time. Take advantage of this momentum to put your fleet management in pole position and prepare for a new standard.
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